Preparing CDs for Replication

From the raw information to providing the finishing touches, we can support all levels of your video, audio, or data editing and mastering needs!

All disks

It's best to close the disk after writing, and if the option is available, "Close all sessions" as well.

Best results are with masters submitted on non re-writable media. Masters written on re-writable drives can also be problematic.

Soft China (wax) markers, or pens made for writing on media, are best for identifying your master. Writing on media with other products can affect error rates.

Please submit two copies of your master if possible, so that after analysis we may copy from the lowest error rate of the two.

File naming

It's best to adhere strictly to the rule of 8.3, keeping all file names to no more than 8 characters, followed by a period and optional 1-3 character extension. Windows optional "long file names" are incompatible with ISO.

Use only UPPERCASE letters, numbers and the underscore character in file names to adhere to ISO intersystem compatibility

Name folders in UPPERCASE only with no more than 11 characters

There can be no spaces in file names

Only put necessary files in the root directory of your CD; organize all other files into folders

Do not set file attributes to Hidden or System unless required by an application

Avoid system specific volume names, and stick with ISO volume name prompting set by your writer program

ZIP, Bernoulli, JAZ, SyQuest and other methods of delivery will necessitate a mastering prep charge

Audio - CD-DA format

Always write audio masters for copying at no more than 2X rate, since CD-DA does not have an inherent ECC function

Write your master CD in "Disk At Once mode" (DAO) if possible

Programs such as Easy CD & GEAR Audio write a session for each cut. This is the origin of the enforced 2 second silence between tracks when using programs of this type

Programs known to do DAO are TOAST (for MAC). For PC, EASY-CD PRO, CD-Architect, Red-Roaster, and Ignition from Nero soft are known to produce correct DAO masters

Use a SCSI drive, since very few IDE writers correctly support D.A.O.

Unless submitting a CD-XA, "Extra mode" master, do not allow any open sessions on the master

Audio not submitted as Master CD

DAT master at 44.1 sample rate

First audio at 01:00; never record program before the first minute mark